Electrical Maintenance Workshop Transformer Maintenance & Testing Thursday, November 6, 2003
Transformer Maintenance & Testing Purpose This presentation provides an overview of the major considerations associated with Transformer Maintenance and Testing. Barker Edwards will provide the information for Transformer Maintenance & Testing. Kate Brady will provide the information for Transformer Oil Testing. 2
Transformer Maintenance Things to know! Things you should know about keeping your transformer healthy! 3
Transformer Maintenance Agenda Types of transformers Yearly checks Testing of transformers Vacuum pressure device Pressure relief device Sudden pressure relay Gaskets Paints 4
Transformer Maintenance Types of transformers Dry type transformers Varnished coils 5
Transformer Maintenance Types of transformers Dry type transformers Cast coils 6
Transformer Maintenance Type of transformers Oil filled transformers Sealed tank 7
Transformer Maintenance Type of transformers Oil filled transformers Conservator system 8
Transformer Maintenance Type of transformers Oil filled transformers Nitrogen blanket Pressure regulator for Nitrogen Blanket transformer 9
Transformer Maintenance Yearly transformer checks Check vacuum pressure gauge for pressure reading. Check oil level. Check temperature maximum and minimum. Check for leaks. Check paint condition. Check transformer top and radiators for foreign material. Check radiator condition. Check fans and cooling systems. 10
Transformer Maintenance Testing of transformers Megger test 600 megohms or better to ground is a good bench mark. 11
Transformer Maintenance Testing of transformers Power factor test or Doble test Readings should be.5% or less on newer equipment. Readings should be 1% or less on older equipment that has been in service for a number of years. Padmount transformers will usually run.7% to 1%. 12
Transformer Maintenance Testing of transformers Infrared test This equipment checks for hot connections and hot spots. Can be used to check how the cooling is working on transformers. 13
Transformer Maintenance Testing of transformers TTR test - Transformer Turns Ratio test 3 phase TTR set Single phase TTR set - Readings should not deviate more than ½ of 1% from the calculated value. 14
Transformer Maintenance Vacuum pressure devices Vacuum pressure devices Used to control the amount of positive and negative pressure a transformer tank has on it. 15
Transformer Maintenance Pressure relief devices Pressure relief devices 16 Used to relieve pressure build up in the transformer.
Transformer Maintenance Sudden pressure relay Sudden pressure relay This device detects a sudden rise in pressure in the transformer. 17
Transformer Maintenance Gaskets Gaskets shall be 1.33 times the height of groove and.75 times the width of the groove. Types of gasket material: Cork / Corkprene Nitrile / Buna N Rubber Viton Rubber 18
Transformer Maintenance Paint Types Acrylic enamel Epoxy base 19
Break 20
Agenda Transformer oil Oil sampling Oil quality Dissolved gas analysis Cellulose insulation Oil processing 21
Transformer oil Silicon based oil Mineral oil Synthetic oils Ester / vegetable oils 22
Oil sampling A Test is Only as Good as the Sample! Start with good, clean syringes! 23
Proper oil sampling Do Not use small sampling port on side of drain valve. 24
Proper oil sampling Flush drain valve, tubing, and syringe. 25
Proper oil sampling (continued) Do not pull back on the syringe barrel apply slight resistance and allow fluid pressure to fill syringe. 26
Proper oil sampling (continued) Filled syringe should have no bubbles, but some may form later do not release these! 27
Proper oil sampling (continued) Excellent Sampling Guidelines available on Doble Engineering website www.doble.com Click on Laboratory Services Sampling Guides: Dielectric Liquids Dissolved Gas Analysis 2002 Doble Engineering Company All Rights Reserved 28
Oil quality Interfacial tension Acidity Moisture Dielectric Power factor Color 29
Interfacial Tension - IFT Measure of contamination Decreasing IFT = Increasing Contamination Can be corrected 30
Acidity Measure of oxidation Creates acidic compounds Build-up of compounds forms sludge Affects dielectric and cooling Can be corrected 31
Moisture Decreases dielectric Decreases IFT Degrades cellulose Failure risk Can be corrected 32
Dielectric breakdown Voltage at which the oil begins to conduct Is reduced by moisture and contaminants Two ASTM test methods: D-877 D-1816 Can be corrected 33
Power factor Indication of contamination and/or deterioration moisture carbon varnish soaps other conducting matter 34
Color Higher Number Darker Oil Darker Oil More Contamination, Deterioration Oil with Number of 5 is almost black 35
Dissolved gas analysis DGA is the blood test for a transformer 36
Dissolved gas analysis Partial discharge (Corona - electrical rust ) Hydrogen H 2 High temperature heating Methane CH 4, Ethane C 2 H 4, Ethylene C 2 H 6 Arcing Acetylene C 2 H 2 Cellulose involved Carbon monoxide C0, and Carbon Dioxide CO 2 37
Cellulose insulation The Life of the Transformer is directly related to the condition of the cellulose Paper windings, leads, shields Pressboard spacers, blocks, oil flows, tubes Particle boards supports Laminates structures, supports Wood - structure 38
Paper Many layers of paper on this flux shield 39
Pressboard Pressboard Sheets for directing oil flow 40
Paper and pressboard Paper wrapped windings Pressboard spacers 41
Particle board Particle Board Lead Support that flashed over 42
Laminates Laminate Nuts Laminate lead support structure members 43
Wood Birch Structure Support Members 44
The Cellulose Polymer Chain The life of a transformer is directly related to the condition of this polymer chain. 45
Degree of polymerization Measure of mechanical strength New paper = 1000 1400 Age increases DP decreases Industry accepted End of Life of cellulose insulation is about 200 Estimated DP from Furan test 46
What degrades the cellulose? Primary sources Heat Moisture Oxygen Secondary sources Acids from oil oxidation 47
Why is this important? Reduced dielectric strength Unable to withstand voltage stress from system transients Reduced mechanical strength Unable to withstand mechanical stress from system faults 48
What can we do about it? Keep the Transformer Healthy! Do not overheat Keep moisture and oxygen out If the Transformer is Sick, Get Help! Investigate abnormal DGA results Process or replace the oil De-hydrate Hot oil flush 49
Transformer oil processing 50
What processes? De-gas Dehydrate Hot oil flush Reclaim oil 51
Other maintenance options Upgrades to oil preservation system Bladders De-hydrating breathers N2 blanket On-line monitoring systems Gas and moisture Bushing monitors 52
Avoid Premature Failure! 53